Vehicle management system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle management method and system is able to monitor and manage a fleet of vehicles with high efficiency and low cost. The management method includes the steps of providing a radio transmitter connected to a vehicle navigation system in each vehicle, providing a radio transmitter connected to a facility computer in a vehicle management facility, receiving information regarding use of a vehicle by the vehicle navigation system from the facility computer which is transmitted through the radio transmitters, monitoring usage of the vehicle and storing data thereof in a memory, and sending the stored data to the facility computer through the radio transmitters.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle management system, and moreparticularly, to a vehicle data monitoring and management system to beused for vehicle fleet management in a rental car business and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In businesses involving a fleet of vehicles, there is a need tomonitor and manage data concerning the usage and condition of eachvehicle. One of the items that is commonly monitored is the distance ormileage that the vehicle has traveled. Depending on the purpose forwhich the vehicles is being used, the usage and condition of a vehicleis either recorded at fixed time intervals or is recorded after specificevents. In a car rental business, for example, recordation of thecondition and usage of a vehicle is made at the start and the end of thecar rental. Other typical item to be monitored and recorded is an amountof gasoline used during the rent.

[0003] The process of monitoring such condition and usage of a vehicleis time consuming. Also, errors in recording the usage and condition ofa vehicle are common. Typically, a user opens the vehicle, and looks atthe odometer and fuel indicator to determine visually the indicatedmileage and amount of gas used and writes the readings down on a paper.The mileage and amount of gas used are then typically entered manuallyinto a computer. This process is repeated for each vehicle. Errorscommonly occur from incorrectly reading the small numbers or indicatoron the vehicle or from incorrectly writing down the numbers, or fromincorrectly entering the numbers into the computer. Thus, the processfor monitoring data of usage and condition is time consuming andexpensive, particularly for businesses that maintain large fleets ofvehicles. This is also time consuming for users or customers in rentingand returning vehicles.

[0004] Although the present invention is described mainly with respectto a vehicle management system concerning the rental car facility, theapplication of the present invention is not limited to such a car rentalbusiness. The present invention is also applicable to taxi cab fleetmanagement, delivery truck fleet management, and other vehicle fleetmanagement industries.

[0005] As noted above, in the business involving a fleet of vehiclessuch as an automobile rental business, the mileage and gas usage must bemonitored and recorded every time when the car is rented and returned.Other items that relate to the condition of the vehicle that must bemonitored includes the fluid levels (engine oil, brake oil, coolant,etc.) of a vehicle, whether the vehicle is operating properly, whetherthe vehicle has been damaged in a collision, and whether the vehiclerequires service.

[0006] Typically, each time a vehicle is rented, the automotive rentalfacility must ascertain the mileage of the vehicle and the amount of gasin the vehicle. In addition, once the vehicle is returned, theautomotive rental facility must again determine the mileage of thevehicle, the amount of gas in the vehicle, and whether the vehicle isoperating properly. The vehicle is also inspected for damage due tocollision. This inspection typically involves visually inspecting theexterior of the vehicle by a rental facility personnel, which alsoinvolves human errors such as overlooking the small damages.

[0007] Once the required information is determined, it is entered into acomputer. The computer subtracts the mileage of the vehicle when it wasrented from the mileage of the vehicle after the vehicle is returned todetermine the distance traveled during the rental. Similarly, the amountof gas in the vehicle when the vehicle was rented is subtracted from theamount of gas in the vehicle when the vehicle is returned to determinethe amount of gas used. The user is typically charged on the basis ofthe period of time that the vehicle was rented, the number of milestraveled, and the amount of gas used. An invoice is then printed. Theforegoing process of obtaining the required information is timeconsuming and expensive. In addition, the renter must wait while therequired information is being gathered, entered into the computer, andprocessed.

[0008] Typically, the vehicle is again inspected as it is being cleanedand is checked to assure that it is operating properly. This checktypically consists of verifying that fluid levels of oil, brake fluid,transmission fluid, coolant, etc. are within acceptable ranges.Typically, the vehicle is run for a short time to verify that thevehicle is operating properly. This inspection process is also timeconsuming and expensive.

[0009] Thus, there is a need of a new and efficient way to easily obtaininformation on the condition and usage of a vehicle. More particularly,a method and apparatus is needed for easily and cost effectivelyobtaining accurate information pertaining to the usage and condition ofa vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide avehicle management method and system which is capable of easilyobtaining information on the condition and usage of a vehicle, therebymanaging the fleet of vehicles with high efficiency and low cost.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide avehicle management method and system which is capable of easily andquickly conducting a check-out and return process involved in a rentalcar business.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide avehicle management method and system which facilitates communicationbetween a computer in a rental car facility and a navigation system in arental vehicle through wireless communication means such as Bluetoothtransceivers.

[0013] In the present invention, the vehicle management method andsystem includes a vehicle navigation system and a radio transmitter suchas a Bluetooth transceiver provided in each vehicle, and a radiotransmitter connected to a vehicle management facility computer. Thevehicle management method and system of the present invention is capableof monitoring and managing the fleet of vehicles with high efficiencyand low cost. The vehicle management method includes the steps ofproviding a radio transmitter connected to a vehicle navigation systemin each vehicle, providing a radio transmitter connected to a facilitycomputer in a vehicle management facility, receiving informationregarding use of a vehicle by the vehicle navigation system from thefacility computer which is transmitted through the radio transmitters,monitoring usage of the vehicle and storing data thereof in a memory,and sending the stored data to the facility computer through the radiotransmitters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of anapparatus to be installed in each vehicle in the vehicle managementsystem of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a basic concept of thevehicle management system of the present invention involving a vehiclenavigation system and a radio communication system.

[0016]FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of a vehiclenavigation system which additionally includes a rental car managementfunction and a radio transmission function.

[0017]FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram showing an example of structureinvolving a rental vehicle facility using the vehicle management systemof the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram showing anexample of communication between the gate of the rental facility and therental car.

[0018] FIGS. 5A-5C are schematic diagrams showing display examples ofvehicle navigation system including the rental car management functionin accordance with the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of vehicle rentalprocess in the vehicle management system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The vehicle management system will be described in more detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings. While the invention will bedescribed in conjunction with the application of rental car management,it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to sucha specific application.

[0021]FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically show basic concept of the apparatusinstalled in each vehicle in the vehicle management system of thepresent invention. In the present invention, each vehicle is providedwith a navigation system with a Bluetooth transceiver or other RFwireless communication method as an embedded or peripheral device. Eachvehicle may also be provided with optional hardwired data bus connectionfor vehicle diagnostics information such as for sensing vehicle speed,engine speed, fluid levels, distance traveled, air bag deployment,engine trouble codes, etc. Preferably, the vehicle user may carry aBluetooth or other wireless standards compatible cellular phone.

[0022] In the application of rental car management, a rental carfacility may include a computer system for collection of generalinformation such as customer profile, vehicle information, rental terms,payment information, etc. Further, the rental car facility includes aradio transmitter such as a Bluetooth transceiver connected to thecomputer system for communication of general information with the rentalcar equipped with navigation system with the radio transmitter 16 suchas a Bluetooth transceiver.

[0023] In the example of FIG. 1, the navigation system includes anavigator display 12 and a navigator controller 14. A radio transmitter16, preferably, a Bluetooth transmitter (transceiver) or an IEEE 802.11bwireless LAN transmitter, or a HomeRF transmitter is connected to thenavigation system. FIG. 1 also shows a cellular phone 18 owned by theuser or rental facility which preferably be configured to be compatiblewith the Bluetooth or other radio communication protocol noted above. Asis well known in the art, the navigator display 12 shows a locator mapdisplay indicating a map image and a current vehicle position or a routeguidance display indicating an intersection and a direction to turn forguiding the driver to the destination.

[0024] Here, Bluetooth technology provides a universal radio interfacein the 2.45 GHz frequency band that enables portable electronic devicesto connect and communicate wirelessly via short-range ad hoc networks.The Bluetooth technology is described in Haarstsen “Bluetooth—TheUniversal Radio Interface for Ad Hoc, Wireless Connectivity”, EricssonReview No. 3, 1998, pp. 110-117, and also in “www.bluetooth.com” thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0025] Another example of such a wireless communication method is IEEE802.11b (also known as “Wi-Fi” or “wireless ethernet”) standard. Thismethod has a speed of 11 Megabyte per second with a frequency sharing ofdirect sequence spread spectrum method. The details of this standard aredescribed in “www.wirelessethernet.com”, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference. A further example is a HomeRFstandard. This method has a speed of 1, 2 or 10 Megabyte per second witha frequency sharing of wideband frequency hopping method. The detailsare described in “www.homerf.org”, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation system is capable ofdetermining the current vehicle position with use of GPS (GlobalPositioning System) satellites 32. Thus, when the vehicle is approachingthe rental car facility 26 for returning the vehicle, for example, thenavigation system is able to detect whether the vehicle is within apredetermined distance from the rental car facility 26. When the vehicleis in the predetermined distance, the navigation system instructs theradio transmitter (Bluetooth transceiver) 16 to send a signal to theradio transmitter in the rental car facility 26, thereby starting thecommunication between the rental car and the rental car facility.

[0027] FIGS. 3 shows an example of structure in the navigation systemincluding the vehicle management function of the present invention. Inthe block diagram of FIG. 3, the navigation system includes a mapstorage medium 41 such as a CD-ROM or DVD (hereafter “DVD”) for storingmap information, a DVD control unit 42 for controlling an operation forreading the map information from the DVD, a point measuring device 43for measuring the present vehicle position which has a vehicle speedsensor for detecting a moving distance, a gyro for detecting a movingdirection, a microprocessor for calculating a position, a GPS receiver,and etc.

[0028] The navigation system includes a map information memory 44 forstoring the map information which is read out from the DVD 41, adatabase memory 45 for storing database information such as point ofinterest (POI) information which is read out from the DVD 41. Thenavigation system includes a remote controller 47 for executing a menuselection operation, an enlarge/reduce operation, a destination inputoperation, etc. and a remote controller interface 48.

[0029] The navigation system further includes a processor (CPU) 49 forcontrolling an overall operation of the navigation system, a ROM 50 forstoring various control programs such as a route search program and amap matching program necessary for navigation control, a RAM 51 forstoring a processing result such as a guide route, a voice guiding unit52 for guiding a traveling direction at a crossroad with spokeninstructions, a display controller 53 for generating map images (a mapguide image and an arrow guide image) on the basis of the mapinformation, a VRAM 54 for storing the images generated by the displaycontroller, a menu/list generating unit 55 for generating menuimage/various list images, a synthesizing unit 56 for synthesizingimages from the VRAM 54 and the menu/list generating unit 55, a monitor(display) 57, and a bus 58 for interfacing the above units in thesystem.

[0030] The navigation system further includes a rental car informationmemory 62 for storing information related to the rental vehiclemanagement, a radio transmitter 16 which is typically a short-rangewireless transceiver, preferably a Bluetooth transceiver or otherwireless transmitter and means (not shown) for receiving signals fromvarious sensors in the vehicle for monitoring the vehicle parametersincluding mileage, gas levels, oil levels, etc. Preferably, the vehiclefurther includes an air bag sensor or a shock sensor to detect anaccident encountered by the rental vehicle.

[0031] Based on the structure of the present invention described above,the method of managing the vehicle fleet data is described below. Anexample of process for checking out the vehicle from the rental facilityis shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. A user (customer) makes a reservation for arental car through any traditional means such as through Internet, phonecall, travel agent, walk-in, etc. The rental terms and user informationare collected and stored in a computer database in an office 66 of therental car facility 26 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0032] The rental car facility 26 is equipped with a radio transmittersuch as a Bluetooth transceiver 74 or a radio transmitter based on thewireless communication method noted above. The Bluetooth transceiver 74is connected to the computer 72. The Bluetooth transceiver 74 is ashort-range wireless transceiver which has a covering range of 100meters, for example, thereby enabling to communicate any vehicles in theparking lot 64 of the rental car facility 26. Thus, the computer 72 maysend the rental terms and user profiles to the appointed car in theparking lot 64 before the user coming.

[0033] The user arrives at the rental car facility 26 and theidentification is verified via traditional means such as by a driver'slicense, credit card and/or membership card, etc. The user receives thevehicle in, for example, either standard service or enhanced service. Inthe standard service, the user is given the parking location coordinatesof the vehicle and walks to the location of the parking lot 64 where thevehicle 22 waits. The user drives the vehicle 22 to a check-out gate 68for final cross reference identification and check-out. In the enhancedservice, a rental facility personnel delivers the vehicle to thecustomer at a pre-determined pickup point.

[0034] With the vehicle driven to the check-out gate 68, a check-outpersonnel activates wireless transfer of information between the vehicle22 and rental facility computer 72 via the Bluetooth transceivers. RFcommunication between the rental facility computer 72 and the vehicle 22exchanges, but is not limited to, the following types of information:

[0035] (1) Customer information including name, company, address, phonenumbers, emergency contact information, (2) rental term informationincluding rental location, rental date, return date, rate plan,insurance options, (3) vehicle make, model, year, license information,optional equipment such as navigation, cellular phone, telematics, etc.,current mileage on vehicle, current fuel level on vehicle, other vehiclediagnostics information such as fluid levels of brake oil, engine oil,transmission oil, and coolant, (4) payment information including creditcard number, authorization information, expiration date, and (5) otherinformation as needed by the rental car facility or as requested by thecustomer such as destination address, today's plan, special POI (pointof interest), etc.

[0036] After the verification and data transmission process is completedat the check-out gate 68, a check-out signal may be exchanged betweenvehicle and the rental facility to define the rental start time. Theuser drives the vehicle 22 to his destination. During the rental period,if the user wants to change the rental term such as the return date, hemay call the rental facility 26 via the cellular phone. The modifiedrental term is stored in the rental facility computer 72. In the casewhere the cellular phone is Bluetooth enabled, the modified rental termmay be automatically stored in the rental facility computer 72 and therental car information memory 62 in the navigation system.

[0037] While driving the rental vehicle, if the vehicle is damaged by acollision, for example, the vehicle navigation system can storeinformation regarding an accident event. If the damage is significant,for example, causing deployment of the vehicle safety air bags, thenavigation system determines this from a signal from the air bag sensoror the shock sensor. Thus, the navigation system automatically storesthis event information in the rental car information memory 62 (FIG. 3)in the navigation system.

[0038] Because the navigation system has a GPS receiver, it can storethe time, date and location (coordinates, current street, city, etc.) ofthe accident event. Also, the navigation system can store origin anddestination data input by the user prior to the accident. The navigationsystem further stores the information concerning the direction (north,south, etc.) of the vehicle immediately before the accident. If theaccident is a major one, the user may be incoherent. Therefore, theaccident event information stored in the navigation system containsinformation beneficial to all parties such as the rental car company,insurance companies, police, and all parties involved in the accident.

[0039] If the damage is not significant, for example, not causingdeployment of the vehicle safety air bags, and the user is coherent,he/she can contact the rental car facility on further instructions onreporting the accident. The rental car facility can dictate that theuser simply check an option in the navigation system to indicate thatthe car has been damaged (insignificantly) however requires attentiononce the vehicle is returned.

[0040] If, during the rental period, the vehicle is subject to theft orvandalism, a menu option in the navigation system can store informationabout the theft or vandalism so that it can be automatically reportedvia Bluetooth transceiver once the vehicle is returned to the rental carfacility.

[0041] If, during the rental period, the driver acquires a parkingand/or traffic violation, a menu option in the navigation system can beselected to store information about the parking and/or traffic violationso that it can be automatically reported via the Bluetooth transceiveronce the vehicle is returned to the rental car facility.

[0042] If infrastructure allows, and the customer owns or is using aBluetooth enabled phone as noted above, he/she can contact the rentalfacility. Thus, the rental facility can automatically download andupload information to and from the vehicle navigation system Bluetoothtransceiver to update or change the information as needed. This appliesto the information involved in the accident, theft or vandalism andparking and/or traffic violation.

[0043] Further, the communication through the Bluetooth enabled phonewith the rental facility promotes the information transfer in suchsituations as follows: (1) If the original customer wants to add adriver (additional authorized operator) to the rental contract, he/shemay do so via the Bluetooth enabled phone, (2) if the customer wishes toextend or shorten the rental period term, he/she may do so via theBluetooth enabled phone, and (3) if the customer wants to change therental return location, he/she may do so via the Bluetooth enabledphone.

[0044] When returning the vehicle, the user drives the car to the rentalcar facility. Since the navigation system can calculate proximity of therental car facility from the current vehicle position, it can determinewhen to “turn on” the Bluetooth transceiver 16. Once the vehicle iswithin a predetermined distance (wireless communication range) from therental car facility's Bluetooth transceiver(s), a Bluetooth devicediscovery process starts.

[0045] The Bluetooth discovery process ensues and collects all pertinentinformation such as the customer information, rental term information,vehicle information, usage and condition information, paymentinformation, and other information. Such information is stored in thecomputer in the rental car facility. A return signal may be exchangedbetween the vehicle and the rental facility to define the rental stoptime. The user proceeds into the rental facility check-in lanes andpayment transactions are conducted automatically based on the storedinformation in the navigation system.

[0046] During the rental period, if the vehicle incurs an accident anddamage, theft and/or vandalism, a parking and/or traffic violation,rental facility personnel are notified by the computer which stores suchaccident information received through the Bluetooth transceivers. Therental facility personnel will assist the customer in evaluating suchincidents to determine whether further actions (damage assessment,payment of fines, etc.) are required by the customer.

[0047] To conduct the payment transactions above, the data relating tothe usage and condition of the rental vehicle is processed by thecomputer. For example, the distance traveled by the vehicle between therental start time (check-out) and the rental stop time (car return) iscalculated. Also, the amount of gas used during the particular rental isdetermined by the difference of gas levels between the rental start timeand the rental stop time. Further, any damages in the vehicle will beexamined by rental facility personnel. Based on the usage and conditionand damages, the rental facility computer determines the amount ofpayment, which is transmitted to the vehicle navigation system throughthe Bluetooth transceiver.

[0048] If a paper proof of the rental transaction is required, the usercan pre-select to do so by requesting the paper proof through thenavigation system's menu selections. The rental facility personnel canprint out or the computer automatically prints out a receipt oftransaction and delivers it to the user once he/she arrives.

[0049] Once the rental facility reclaims the vehicle from the renter,the rental facility maintenance personnel may prepare the vehicle forthe next renting driver (wash vehicle, re-fill with gasoline, clearnavigation system memory, etc.). In order to expedite delivery of thevehicle to the next driver, the location (location coordinates asdetermined by the navigation system GPS receiver are cross-referencedwith the facility's parking location coordinates) of the parked vehicleis delivered to the facility. This is done by the rental facilityvehicle maintenance personnel or automatically through the Bluetoothtransceivers to the rental facilitate computer for easy location of thevehicle.

[0050] FIGS. 5A-5C show display examples of menus in the vehiclenavigation system including the rental car management function of thepresent invention. These are merely examples for an illustration purposeonly. FIG. 5A shows an example of main menu 82 which includes menu itemsof “Destination”, “Rental Car”, “Information”, “Set Up” and “Edit”. Mostof the items are well known and commonly used in car navigation systems,however, the menu item “Rental Car” is unique to the navigation systemof the present invention.

[0051] When the user selects the “Rental Car” menu, a rental car processdescribed above starts, thereby showing a break down menu 84 of FIG. 5B.In the example of FIG. 5B, the rental car menu includes menu items of“User Information”, “Rental Term”, “Usage and Condition”, “Accident andViolation”, and “Payment”.

[0052] The “User Information” menu is provided for entering andconfirming the information regarding the user such as name, address,phone number, credit card information and the like. The “Rental Term”menu is provided for entering, modifying and confirming variousconditions for car rental such as a rental time length, type of car torent, rental rate and the like. The “Usage and Condition” menu isprovided for confirming data involved in using the car during the rentalsuch as mileage, amount of gas used, damages and the like. The “Accidentand Violation” menu is provided for recording and confirming datainvolving an accident event, theft, traffic violation and the like. The“Payment” menu is provided for finalizing the rental process byconfirming the amount of charges and method of payment and authorizingthe payment by the user.

[0053] If the user selects the “Usage and Condition” menu when returningthe car, for example, the navigation system moves to a “Usage andCondition” screen 86 such as shown in FIG. 5C. In the example of FIG.5C, the navigation system displays the data concerning the usage andcondition of the car resulted from the usage during the rental by theuser. Typically, such data is made based on the information from thenavigation system through the Bluetooth transceiver 16 and calculated bythe rental facility computer 72. The computer sends the calculated datato the navigation system through the Bluetooth transceivers forconfirmation by the user in the screen 86. In this example, the “Usageand Condition” screen 86 shows the time length of the rental, distancetraveled by the rental car, the amount of gasoline used during therental, damages of the car and the like.

[0054]FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of vehicle rentalprocess in the vehicle management system of the present invention. Atstep 101, the vehicle management system receives rental request by auser including user information, rental terms such as a rental timeperiod, type of car, rate, and the like, which are recorded in therental facility computer. When the user comes to the rental facility,the user information, payment condition, and rental term are confirmedin step 102. Through the Bluetooth transceivers, the rental facilitycomputer and the navigation system in the rental car exchange data atthe check-out gate, for example. The rental facility computer sends thedata including the rental term, user information and the like while thenavigation system sends the data including the current odometer reading,fluid levels and the like.

[0055] After exchanging the data in step 103, the rental starts at step104 by, for example sending a rental start signal to the navigationsystem. During the rental, in step 105, the navigation system in therental car monitors and records the condition and usage of the carincluding vehicle position, direction, time and destination. Thenavigation system automatically records an accident in such a case whena signal is received from the shock sensor or air bag sensor provided inthe car.

[0056] At the end of the rental, the user drives the car to the rentalfacility. When the car reaches a range where the Bluetooth communicationis possible, at step 106, the navigation system instructs the Bluetoothtransceiver to send the data such as the usage and condition data to therental facility computer. In step 107, the rental facility computerreceives the data from the rental car and calculates the data tofinalize the rental procedure. The rental facility computer sends thecalculated data to the navigation system to be confirmed by the user.The rental facility computer calculates the charges to the user at step108. In response to the payment by the user, the rental facilitycomputer prints a receipt in step 109, and the rental process ends.

[0057] Although only a preferred embodiment is specifically illustratedand described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications andvariations of the present invention are possible in light of the aboveteachings and within the purview of the appended claims withoutdeparting the spirit and intended scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for managing a fleet of vehicles,comprising the steps of: providing a radio transmitter connected to avehicle navigation system in each vehicle; providing a radio transmitterconnected to a facility computer in a vehicle management facility;receiving information regarding use of a vehicle by the vehiclenavigation system from the facility computer which is transmittedthrough the radio transmitters; starting usage of the vehicle afterreceiving the information by the navigation system; monitoring usage ofthe vehicle and storing data relating to the usage of the vehicle in amemory provided in the vehicle; and sending the data relating to theusage of the vehicle to the facility computer through the radiotransmitters to finalize the usage of the vehicle.
 2. A method formanaging a fleet of vehicles as defined in claim 1, wherein the step ofmonitoring the usage of the vehicle comprises the steps of: determiningthe distance traveled by the vehicle since the start of the usage; anddetermining if an accident has occurred.
 3. A method for managing afleet of vehicles as defined in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:determining the condition of the vehicle when the vehicle is returned tothe facility based on the data relating to the usage of the vehiclereceived by the facility computer and based on visual inspection; andtransmitting the condition of the vehicle to the navigation systemthrough the radio transmitters for confirmation.
 4. A method formanaging a fleet of vehicles as defined in claim 3, wherein the step ofdetermining the condition of the vehicle includes the steps of:determining an amount of fuel in the vehicle; determining a distancetraveled by the vehicle; and determining whether the vehicle requiresservice.
 5. A method for managing a fleet of vehicles as defined inclaim 1, wherein the radio transmitter in the vehicle or in the vehiclemanagement facility is a wireless transceiver based on Bluetoothstandard.
 6. A method for managing a fleet of vehicles as defined inclaim 1, wherein the radio transmitter in the vehicle or in the vehiclemanagement facility is a wireless transceiver based on IEEE 802.11bstandard.
 7. A method for managing a fleet of vehicles as defined inclaim 1, wherein the radio transmitter in the vehicle or in the vehiclemanagement facility is a wireless transceiver based on HomeRF standard.8. A method for managing a fleet of rental vehicles, comprising thesteps of: providing a radio transmitter connected to a vehiclenavigation system in each rental vehicle; providing a radio transmitterconnected to a rental facility computer in a rental vehicle facility;receiving information from a user and establishing a rental term whichis stored in the rental facility computer; verifying user informationwhen the user arrives at the rental vehicle facility; exchanging data bysending the rental term and user information from the rental facilitycomputer to the vehicle navigation system through the radio transmittersand sending current vehicle condition information including milage andgas level from the vehicle navigation system to the rental facilitycomputer; starting a rental period of the rental vehicle after the stepof exchanging the data; monitoring usage of the rental vehicle andstoring data relating to the usage of the rental vehicle in a memoryprovided in the vehicle navigation system; sending the data relating tothe usage of the rental vehicle to the rental facility computer throughthe radio transmitters for calculating a rental fee; and returning therental vehicle by confirming the data relating to the usage of therental vehicle and paying the rental fee by the user.
 9. A method formanaging a fleet of rental vehicles as defined in claim 8, wherein thestep of monitoring the usage of the vehicle comprises the steps of:determining the distance traveled by the vehicle since the start of therental and recording data relating to the distance in the memory in thenavigation system; and determining if an accident has occurred andrecording data relating to the accident in the memory in the navigationsystem.
 10. A method for managing a fleet of rental vehicles as definedin claim 9, wherein the step of recording data relating to the accidentincludes the steps of recording data concerning a location, time, anddestination in the memory in the vehicle navigation system.
 11. A methodfor managing a fleet of rental vehicles as defined in claim 9, whereinthe step of recording data relating to the accident includes the stepsof detecting a signal from an air bag sensor indicating a deployment ofair bags in the rental vehicle and recording data concerning a location,time, and destination in the memory in the vehicle navigation system.12. A method for managing a fleet of vehicles as defined in claim 8further comprising the steps of: determining the condition of thevehicle when the rental vehicle is returned to the rental facility basedon the data relating to the usage of the vehicle received by the rentalfacility computer and based on visual inspection; and transmitting thecondition of the vehicle to the navigation system through the radiotransmitters for confirmation by the user.
 13. A method for managing afleet of rental vehicles as defined in claim 11, wherein the step ofdetermining the condition of the vehicle includes the steps of:determining an amount of fuel consumed in the rental vehicle during therental period; determining a distance traveled by the rental vehicleduring the rental period; and determining whether the vehicle requiresservice as a result of the rental.
 14. A method for managing a fleet ofvehicles as defined in claim 8, wherein the radio transmitter in thevehicle or in the vehicle management facility is a wireless transceiverbased on Bluetooth standard.
 15. A method for managing a fleet ofvehicles as defined in claim 8, wherein the radio transmitter in thevehicle or in the vehicle management facility is a wireless transceiverbased on IEEE 802.11b standard.
 16. A method for managing a fleet ofvehicles as defined in claim 8, wherein the radio transmitter in thevehicle or in the vehicle management facility is a wireless transceiverbased on HomeRF standard.
 17. A method for managing a fleet of rentalvehicles as defined in claim 8, wherein the rental vehicle is providedwith a Bluetooth transceiver using a 2.45 GHz frequency band and aBluetooth enabled telephone.
 18. A rental vehicle management system,comprising: a vehicle radio transmitter connected to a vehiclenavigation system in each rental vehicle; a station radio transmitterconnected to a rental facility computer in a rental vehicle facility;means for receiving information from a user and establishing a rentalterm which is stored in the rental facility computer and verifying userinformation when the user arrives at the rental vehicle facility; meansfor exchanging data by sending the rental term and user information fromthe rental facility computer to the vehicle navigation system throughthe radio transmitters and sending current vehicle condition informationincluding milage and gas level from the vehicle navigation system to therental facility computer through the radio transmitters; wherein thevehicle navigation system monitors usage of the rental vehicle andstores data relating to the usage of the rental vehicle in a memory andsends the stored data to the rental facility computer through the radiotransmitters for calculating a rental fee, thereby returning the rentalvehicle by confirming the usage of the rental vehicle and paying therental fee by the user.
 19. A rental vehicle management system asdefined in claim 18, wherein the vehicle navigation system determinesthe distance traveled by the rental vehicle and records data relating tothe distance in the memory in the navigation system; and determines ifan accident has occurred and records data relating to the accident inthe memory in the navigation system.
 20. A rental vehicle managementsystem as defined in claim 19, wherein the data relating to the accidentto be stored in the navigation system includes data concerning alocation and time of the accident and destination of the rental vehiclebefore the accident.
 21. A rental vehicle management system as definedin claim 19, wherein the navigation system detects a signal from an airbag sensor indicating a deployment of air bags in the rental vehiclesand records the data concerning a location and time of the accident anddestination of the rental vehicle before the accident.
 22. A rentalvehicle management system as defined in claim 18, wherein the radiotransmitter in the rental vehicle or in the rental vehicle facility is awireless transceiver based on Bluetooth standard.
 23. A rental vehiclemanagement system as defined in claim 18, wherein the radio transmitterin the rental vehicle or in the rental vehicle facility is a wirelesstransceiver based on IEEE 802.11b standard.
 24. A rental vehiclemanagement system as defined in claim 18, wherein the radio transmitterin the rental vehicle or in the rental vehicle facility is a wirelesstransceiver based on Home RF standard.
 25. A rental vehicle managementsystem as defined in claim 18, wherein the rental vehicle is providedwith a Bluetooth transceiver using a 2.45 GHz frequency band and amobile telephone enabled with Bluetooth protocol.